Now appearing on the official Walt Disney World calendar, we have a few key operational updates affecting guests in early 2012.

Perhaps the most riveting (if such a word could be used) is that of Dumbo, which is now scheduled to close on January 9 and re-open on February 18 March 12. Reasons aren’t generally given for the refurbs publicly, but there’s a slight possibility this may be for its move over to the Storybook Circus section of the New Fantasyland Expansion, which Walt Disney World has announced will open in early/spring 2012 with a relocated Dumbo coupled with a duplicated version that will have vehicles rotating in a clockwise direction, a first for the attraction anywhere in the world.

Also scheduled to close at the Magic Kingdom on January 9 is a long down time for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad which has a tentative re-opening date of April 1, however it could go longer due to limitations on the official calendar. According to reports, the cast member portal, the HUB, reports the attraction with a re-opening date of May 28.

Not so long (and often canceled) is a refurbishment for the Liberty Square Riverboat, the Liberty Belle, which is shown to close on January 28 and re-open on February 4.

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be the first to know when changes that potentially affect your trip occur by signing up with ReSearch! The only Disney Parks refurbishment schedule that covers attractions, dining and resorts, lets you drill down to your own specific dates and even emails you when your dates are affected — and it’s completely free!

Disney is closing a headliner over the peak spring break season?!?!? So bummed about this! Opening one week before Easter does not capture many spring break trips… Wonder if there’s any chance of an earlier opening.

according to wdwmagic, which may have gotten it from the hub, Big Thunder may not be re-opening until the end of May. That’s why I warned that it may go beyond April 1, it was just listed that way due to restrictions on the official site.